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van der Sluis M, van Zeeland YRA, de Greef KH. Digestive problems in rabbit production: moving in the wrong direction? Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1354651. [PMID: 38384954 PMCID: PMC10879550 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1354651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive problems, both those with a clear pathogenic origin (e.g., Escherichia coli) and those without obvious pathogen involvement [e.g., syndromes like epizootic rabbit enteropathy (ERE)], are common in production rabbits and account for the majority of losses in meat rabbit production. A multitude of nutritional, genetic and housing factors have been found to play a role in the occurrence of digestive problems. However, the exact early pathophysiological mechanism, including the links between aforementioned risk factors and subsequent development and expression of gastrointestinal disease, is less clear, especially in non-specific enteropathies without obvious pathogen involvement. In this review, we aim to shed more light on the derailment of the normal gastrointestinal functioning in rabbits. We discuss a conceptual integrated view of this derailment, based on an "overload" pathway and a "chymus jam" pathway, which may occur simultaneously and interact. The "overload" pathway centers around exposure to excess amounts of easily fermentable substrate (e.g., starch and protein) that might be incompletely digested prior to entering the caecum. Once there, hyperfermentation may result in changes in caecal pH and inhibition of the normal microflora. The second pathway centers around a chymus jam resulting from a compromised passage rate. Here, reduced hindgut motility (e.g., resulting from stress or limited fiber supply) leads to reduced flow of digesta and increased caecal retention times, which might lead to the production of abnormal caecal fermentation products and subsequent inhibition of the normal microflora. A central role in the presumed mechanism is attributed to the fusus coli. We discuss the suggested mechanisms behind both pathways, as well as the empirical substantiation and alignment between theoretical concepts and observations in practice. The proposed hypotheses may explain the effect of time-based restriction to prevent ERE, which is widely applied in practice but to date not really understood, and suggest that the particle size of fiber may be a key point in the normal functioning of the colon and fusus coli. Further insight into the circumstances leading to the derailment of physiological processes in the rabbit hindgut could provide a meaningful starting point to help improve their gastrointestinal resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malou van der Sluis
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Yvonne R. A. van Zeeland
- Division of Zoological Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Karel H. de Greef
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Ebeid TA, Al-Homidan IH, Saleh AA, Barakat HA. Physiological and immunological aspects of feed restriction and its beneficial impacts in fattening rabbits' productivity-an updated review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:33. [PMID: 38183493 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03881-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Two feed restriction (FR) regimens are utilized with weaned rabbits including a quantitative FR (amount-limited feed or time-restricted admission to feed) and a qualitative FR (modulation of diet content especially protein and energy). The use of post-weaning FR may help in preventing post-weaning digestive disorders, stimulating compensating growth, improving feed efficiency, and decreasing carcass fat content. Interestingly, FR may contribute to changing meat's chemical composition and its physical quality attributes by regulating the morphological and biochemical characteristics of muscle fibers. Also, FR could enhance the gastrointestinal tract development, its histomorphology, and improve feed digestibility and absorption. Furthermore, FR regimens are involved in establishing gut microbial balance and enhancing the host immunological response. It might be concluded that post-weaning FR is involved in influencing the physiological and immunological aspects of growing rabbits. It might be documented that light to mild FR (i.e., 80-90% AL), early (i.e., at the first 2 weeks post-weaning), and relatively short in duration (i.e., for 2-3 weeks) had no negative effects on live body weight, while severing FR reduced live body weight in comparison with ad libitum rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Amin Ebeid
- Department of Animal Production and Breeding, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt.
| | - Ibrahim Hamad Al-Homidan
- Department of Animal Production and Breeding, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Ali Saleh
- Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 33516, Egypt
| | - Hassan Ahmed Barakat
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
- Food Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, 13736, Egypt
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Chen D, Sun S, Chen Y, Wang J, Sang L, Gao C, Xie X. Effects of feeding methods on growth and slaughter performance, blood biochemical indices, and intestinal morphology in Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:51. [PMID: 36708435 PMCID: PMC9884254 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03467-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Feed restriction after weaning is a common strategy used in commercial rabbit farms to improve feed efficiency, promote health, and reduce mortality. However, few studies have investigated the feed restrictions of Minxinan black rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Thus, the effects of feed restriction on growth and slaughter performance, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemical indices of Minxinan black rabbits were evaluated in this study. Rabbits in group A (control group) had ad libitum intake, while those in feed restriction groups (groups B, C, and D) were restricted to 80% of the average daily feed intake (ADFI) of group A the day before. The rabbits in group B were fed once per day at 8:00 am. Rabbits in groups C and D were fed twice per day at 8:00 am (50%) and 4:00 pm (50%) and 8:00 am (30%) and 4:00 pm (70%), respectively. The experimental period lasted for 8 weeks. Compared to that in group A, the diarrhea rate of group C was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the ADFI, feed conversion ratio, abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat rate, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein, and intestinal crypt depth of all feed restriction groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Feed conversion ratio in group D was significantly better than that in groups B and C (P < 0.05). The efficiency index (EI) of groups C and D was higher than that of groups A and B (P < 0.01). Triglyceride levels in groups C and D were significantly lower than those in group A. The villus length to crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum in group D was significantly higher than that in group A (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the following parameters can be improved by feed restriction: feed conversion ratio, diarrhea rate, abdominal fat rate, serum ALT, lipid indices and intestinal health of Minxinan black rabbits, and the EI of the farm. Feeding twice per day, 30% at 8:00 am and 70% at 4:00 pm, had the best comprehensive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- DongJin Chen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - ShiKun Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - YanFeng Chen
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - JinXiang Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - Lei Sang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - ChengFang Gao
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China
| | - XiPing Xie
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, 350013, China. .,Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Fuzhou, 350013, China.
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Martignon M, Burel C, Guinebretière M, Postollec G, Huonnic D, Boilletot E, Michel V, Gidenne T. Feeding behaviour of the growing rabbit fed freely or restricted, and impact on performances and digestive organs. WORLD RABBIT SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.4995/wrs.2022.14513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine how rabbits’ feeding and drinking behaviour was influenced by a feed restriction programme, and how performance and the morphometry of the digestive tract and lymphoid organs were influenced. At weaning (28 d old), 432 rabbits were housed in cages of 6, and allotted to 2 groups according to feed intake level: ad libitum feeding (AL group) from 28 to 72 d old, and feed intake (R group) restricted to 70% of AL intake from 28 till 49 d old, followed by ad libitum feeding from 50 till 72 d old. During the restriction, the R group intake was 36% lower than that of the AL group. When returning to an ad libitum feeding, the R group intake increased by 270%, thus exceeding the AL intake by 26% (P=0.03). The daily weight gain was reduced by 28% for R group during the restriction (40.0 vs. 55.7 g/d; P<0.001), whereas the feed conversion was improved (−11%, 1.86 vs. 2.09; P<0.001). The restriction led to a shorter intestine (−15%, 202 vs. 233; P<0.05) and lighter spleen (−15%, 4.8 vs. 5.9; P<0.05), whereas the number of Peyer patches was not influenced. Most of the growth delays of lymphoid tissues observed at the end of the restriction period in the R rabbits remained until the end of the experiment. The feeding activity of AL rabbits mainly occurred during the dark period (19:00-09:00), with 16% of rabbits eating. The R group strongly and massively started their feeding activity at feed distribution time (8:30-09:00), with 65% of rabbit eating at the start, then 35% still eating half an hour later. Feeding activity of R group remained high for 8 h after the feed distribution, with 28% of rabbits having a feeding activity between 9:30 and 17:00. R group had a higher number of meals (+30%) and drinks (+28%), and a longer meal duration (+30%) compared to AL group. R group consumed 63% of the intake within 6-7 h compared to ad libitum fed rabbits, which spread their intake over 15 h. No changes in social behaviour (access to feed or drinking, resting, aggressiveness) were detected, suggesting that this restriction programme did not impair welfare compared to that of ad libitum fed animals.
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Sánchez JP, Ragab M, Mínguez C, Piles M. Genotype by feeding regimen interactions for slaughter traits in rabbit and expected responses under restricted and full feeding. J Anim Breed Genet 2022; 139:530-539. [PMID: 35557470 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between the genotype and feeding regimen (G×FR) for slaughter traits was estimated from data corresponding to 2557 animals under full (FF) and 2424 with restricted feeding (RF). Expected responses to selection under different scenario regarding feeding regimen were also calculated. Body weight at slaughter (SW), carcass weight (CW) and dressing out percentage (DoP) were analysed by using linear animal models in which records obtained under different feeding regimes were treated as different traits. Animals belonged to Caldes line, selected for average daily gain (G) under ad libitum feeding. The selection process information was included in the analyses. Marginal posterior mean of heritabilities were 0.102 for G, and 0.364, 0.257 and 0.167 for SW, CW and DoP under FF feeding. The corresponding values for animals fed on RF were 0.243, 0.203 and 0.379 for SW, CW and DoP, respectively. Genetic correlations between G and CW were positive and moderate, and those between G and DoP were low. The estimated genetic correlation between SW, CW and DoP under different feeding regimens were: 0.73, 0.69 and 0.87, respectively. These correlations cannot be said to be far enough from one to generate relevant G×FR interaction variance, which were estimated to be only 11.1%, 8.6% and 5.3% of the mean of the phenotypic variance for SW, CW and DoP, respectively. This lack of G×FR interaction variance, jointly with the higher heritability of DoP under RF, explains that the genetic improvement of DoP can be done more efficiently recording traits on animals under RF, even if the interest is on the performances under FF, i.e. by indirect selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Sánchez
- Genetica i Millora Animal, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mohamed Ragab
- Genetica i Millora Animal, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Barcelona, Spain.,Poultry Production Department, Kafer El-Sheikh Univ., Kafer El-Sheikh, Egypt
| | - Carlos Mínguez
- Departamento de Producción Animal y Salud Publica, Facultad de Veterinaria y Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Martir, Valencia, Spain
| | - Miriam Piles
- Genetica i Millora Animal, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Barcelona, Spain
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Ebeid TA, Tůmová E, Al-Homidan IH, Ketta M, Chodová D. The potential role of feed restriction on productivity, carcass composition, meat quality, and muscle fibre properties of growing rabbits: A review. Meat Sci 2022; 191:108845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Time-based restriction and refeeding programmes in growing rabbits: Effects on feeding behaviour, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, and caecal fermentative activity. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Impact of feed restriction and fragmented feed distribution on performance, intake behaviour and digestion of the growing rabbit. Animal 2021; 15:100270. [PMID: 34167022 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Postweaning feed restriction preserves rabbit digestive health after weaning, but the underlying physiological mechanisms are not yet understood. To elucidate whether the feeding intake pattern modification related to feed restriction might be involved, we studied the effects of both feed intake quantity and intake frequency. Animals were allotted at weaning (28 d old) in a 2 × 2 factorial design: feed intake quantity (AL = ad libitum vs R = 75% of AL) and fragmented feed distribution (FFD) (1 vs 13 distributions), thus forming four groups (AL1, AL13, R1 and R13). New Zealand White growing rabbits were used from weaning to slaughter (70 d old), to analyse mortality, morbidity, performance, intake behaviour, digestion and microbial activity. Seven days after starting feed restriction (35 d old, group R1), rabbits consumed 44% of the feed within 2 h, 65% in 4 h and in 7 h over 95%. Over the 28-70 d period, mortality was low (5.3%) while morbidity averaged 18.5% and neither was affected by treatment. However, FFD tended to decrease the morbidity rate during the first 14 days after weaning (P = 0.06). Feed conversion (28-70 d) was improved by restriction (+15%, P < 0.001) and by FFD (+5%, P < 0.001). Nutrient digestibility was improved by restriction (+10% for energy, P < 0.01), but not by FFD. Fragmented feed distribution led to a lower stomachal pH, in the antrum (1.48 vs 2.13, P < 0.001) and in the fundus (1.52 vs 2.63, P < 0.001), while a higher pH was found in the caecum (6.07 vs 5.86, P < 0.001). Butyrate proportion in the caecum was reduced by four units for restricted groups. Fragmented feed distribution reduced the caecal VFA concentration by 23% within restricted rabbit groups only. A similar interaction between intake level and FFD was observed for fibrolytic activity (cellulase and xylanase). The diversity of caecal bacterial community was not modified by either of the two factors studied. Globally, fragmented meals have no major impacts on the caecal microbial activity, diversity, and thus would not be implicated in the better resistance of restricted rabbit to digestive troubles.
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Crespo R, Alfonso C, del Barrio AS, García-Ruiz AI, Marco M, Nicodemus N. Effect of feed restriction on performance, carcass yield and nitrogen and energy balance in growing rabbits. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Birolo M, Trocino A, Zuffellato A, Xiccato G. Time-based feed restriction and group composition in growing rabbits: Effects on feed intake pattern, growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Yang G, Zhao F, Tian H, Li J, Guo D. Effects of the dietary digestible fiber-to-starch ratio on pellet quality, growth and cecal microbiota of Angora rabbits. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2020; 33:623-633. [PMID: 31480158 PMCID: PMC7054611 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.19.0221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Substituting starch with digestible fiber (dF) can improve digestive health of rabbits and reduce costs. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a criterion for dF and starch supply. Effects of the dietary dF-to-starch ratio on pellet quality, growth and cecal microbiota of Angora rabbits were evaluated. METHODS Five isoenergetic and isoproteic diets with increasing dF/starch ratios (0.59, 0.66, 0.71, 1.05, and 1.44) were formulated. A total of 120 Angora rabbits with an average live weight of 2.19 kg were randomly divided into five groups with four replicates. At the end of 40 day feeding trial, cecal digesta were collected to analyse microbiota. RESULTS The results showed that the dF/starch ratio had linear effects on pellet variables (p<0.01). When the dF/starch ratio was 1.44, the pellets had the lowest powder and highest durability. The dF/starch ratio had unfavorable linear effects on growth variables (p<0.001). When analyzed by quadratic regression, the optimal dF/starch ratios for average weight gain and feed/gain were 0.59 and 0.74, respectively. There were differences in wool yield, fiber length and fiber diameter caused by the dF/starch ratio (p<0.05), and the dF/starch ratios that ranged from 0.66 to 1.06 were appropriate for good results. The cecal microbiota operational taxonomic unit (OTU) number index in the 1.05 dF/starch treatment was higher than that in the 0.66 and 0.71 dF/starch treatments. The higher dF/starch ratio resulted in a higher cecal microbiota OTU number index (p<0.05). The proportion of Ruminococcus in the 0.71 dF/starch treatment was higher than that in the 0.59 dF/starch treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The most suitable dF/starch ratio for feed pellet quality is 1.44, and for rabbit growth the optimal range of ratios is from 0.59 to 0.74. With combination of the wool growth, output cost, and cecal microbiota, we suggest that a dietary dF/starch ratio ranging from 0.74 to 1.06 is optimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqin Yang
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866,
China
| | - Fei Zhao
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866,
China
| | - He Tian
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866,
China
| | - Jiantao Li
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866,
China
| | - Dongxin Guo
- College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866,
China
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Effects of time-based feed restriction on morbidity, mortality, performance and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in collective systems. Animal 2020; 14:626-635. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119002283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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